Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business today is No.1, statements on the World Trade Organisation talks, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.45 p.m., with spokespersons having ten minutes, all other Senators eight minutes, on which Senators may share time by leave of the House, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes from the end of the debate for concluding remarks and to take questions from spokespersons; No. 2, statements on the Health Service Executive's welfare and protection services for children, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, with spokespersons having ten minutes, all other Senators eight minutes, on which Senators may share time by leave of the House, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes from the end of the debate for concluding comments and to take questions from spokespersons; and No. 20, motion 39 re Transport 21, to be taken at the conclusion of No.2. The business of the House will be interrupted from 1.45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
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On foot of yesterday's Order of Business, it is important we have a debate on public private partnerships at the earliest opportunity because the future of an enormous number of projects in this country is dependent on such partnerships, given the policy adopted by the Government in recent years. I understand Senator Dan Boyle has a particular interest in this area, having written a paper on public private partnerships some time ago. We must examine this issue, especially given the plans for co-located hospitals which are heavily dependent on public private partnerships. On that note, I draw the attention of the House to the €1 billion cost for those co-located hospitals, which is far more than was originally intended. This begs the question whether this is the best way forward in terms of increasing the number of hospital beds in the country.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the future of the Abbey Theatre. I wish to ascertain what stage the relocation plans have reached. There have been a number of suggestions in the House that the site should be reconsidered. I ask the Leader to give Members a briefing or arrange a debate on the future of the Abbey Theatre and the timeframe for the building programme. It is critical that there is clarity and a firm commitment on the future of this important cultural establishment.

Later today we will discuss Transport 21 during Private Member's time. I note that yesterday Senator Dan Boyle and Deputy Ciarán Cuffe took a bus trip around St. Stephen's Green. They proposed, as a result of that trip, to tax commuters who do not use public transport. Perhaps the Leader or Senator Boyle will take the opportunity to clarify whether it is now Government policy to tax people for not using public transport which is simply not available in many areas. There are quality bus corridors in Clondalkin with no buses running on them. In Lucan, because of outdated legislation, Dublin Bus cannot schedule additional buses because there is a private operator in the area. It seems the Government is putting the cart before the horse. Will Senator Boyle support the Government motion on Transport 21, given the Green Party's serious criticisms of it?

This is Say No to Ageism Week and it is very important we lead in this House with a debate on ageism. Such a debate was scheduled for a few weeks ago but had to be cancelled. It is an important area and there are many examples of ageism throughout the country. It is an insidious problem. We must expose it and change practices in a number of areas. A debate in the House would be a good place to start.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I refer to the issue of public private partnerships, which I have defended and proposed on many occasions. I have looked for details regarding the regeneration projects in Dublin but cannot find any, which is why I am raising the matter in the House. I ask the Leader to provide Members with information or invite the appropriate Minister to the House. My understanding is that decisions on public private partnerships are in the gift of the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA. The idea was that the NTMA would examine any proposal from all points of view.

What is the nature of a contract that allows a party to walk away from it seven or eight months later without the imposition of any penalty clauses? We went through this process a few years ago with the cost of roads and it was sorted out by the insertion of clear timelines and penalty clauses. I am not making any accusation until I have the information, but we are entitled to know what the NTMA put into the contract for this development, the penalty clauses and timelines and whether the people involved are right or wrong. We can have a discussion when we have the facts. It certainly raises extraordinary questions.

It seems we are fated here everyday to correct yet another piece of misinformation regarding the European treaty. For the record, the European trade union movement has been fighting for years to get the charter of rights enshrined, or reflected as closely as possible, in European law. Any information that appeared to be given this morning which was at odds with that is incorrect. The European trade union movement has been pushing for many years for the charter of rights to be included in European law. It considers the charter to be a major prize, as do all people who are committed to human, civil and other rights. Therefore, anybody who says otherwise is misleading the public. I do not want to get bogged down with words mentioned yesterday, namely, the difference between the word "lies" and the word "misinformation", but what I said is fact.

On another issue, despite what is provided in the Constitution, somebody has taken the opportunity to make direct contact with the President. There should be a clear indication from the Houses that the appropriate procedure in this situation is for the President to remain silent, not to respond, react or reply. That is what would be expected and in that way nobody could read any implication into her actions, and nothing could be read into the fact that she choose, should she do so, not to reply to that communication, which should not have occurred.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I advise the Leader that is an important position to articulate on behalf of the House. The House should indicate that we do not consider the President should have a role in this regard, that it appreciates she has been put in an embarrassing position and that we expect her simply to park that rogue correspondence.

Phil Prendergast (Labour)
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The proposal to close the accident and emergency unit in the Mercy Hospital in Cork from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. from 1 June will have a significant impact on the waiting times for patients in the second largest accident and emergency unit in the country in Cork University Hospital, which, as we were told yesterday, has the second largest neurosurgical department in the country. The current waiting times for patients in that accident and emergency unit is approximately 14 hours. The additional 7,000 attendances that will be visited upon that unit in Cork University Hospital because of the closure of the unit in the other hospital signifies a lack of planning in the area. The Government needs to be aware that there are significantly more patients on trolleys in hospitals than there were this time two years ago and that there has been a significant increase in that number since the embargo was put in place on 4 September last. Is the Government prepared to name the accident and emergency units that will close due to the lack of a consultant on their hospital staff?

I also want to raise the issue of Crumlin hospital, the largest tertiary referral centre in the country. The position there has reached crisis level because the hospital is short 44 of its complement of nursing staff. This issue needs to be addressed urgently. A finding of the report into the investigation of the unfortunate loss of life of a young child following her appendicectomy was that a children's nurse should be always on duty in all accident and emergency units to aid and facilitate the treatment and diagnosis of children attending that unit because such practice is specialised. That is why there are many different disciplines in nursing. It is an area of expertise, and research would prove that nurses involved in treatment and diagnosis on a full-time basis assist as much as a consultant in diagnosis.

The outsourcing to a private company of the writing of letters to those people affected by the situation in the north east has ethical implications. It also demonstrates that the job is best done by the professionals who deal with sensitive and confidential information every day.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Phil Prendergast (Labour)
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The ethical aspects must be upheld in this regard and note must be taken of that. What was done was a mistake and it needs to be urgently addressed.

Dan Boyle (Green Party)
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I do not want to prejudge tonight's Private Members' debate but I want to respond briefly to some of the points raised by Senator Fitzgerald on today's Order of Business. In regard to Transport 21, I can affirm that it is within the provision of the programme for Government, and every element of the Transport 21 programme will be attempted to be achieved——

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Attempted?

Dan Boyle (Green Party)
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——within the lifetime of this Government or of the plan itself. From my party's viewpoint, we would like elements of Transport 21 to be rejudged in terms of which projects should be given priority. That was the nature of yesterday's exercise.

On the Senator's second question about the imposition of a congestion charge, a question was raised on this matter by a journalist having regard to the congestion charge in place in London. I can assure the Senator and other Members that such a congestion charge could and should be introduced only if there are proper public transport alternatives, which obviously are still not in place here.

On the question of whether we should have a debate on public private partnerships, Senator Fitzgerald alluded to the fact that while I was a member of the Committee of Public Accounts I had a report published by the committee. That report outlines the position in regard to openness and transparency in terms of contracts, a question raised by Senator O'Toole. We should have such a debate in the House. There are circumstances in which public private partnerships should be used, but there are circumstances where they are seen not to be working. If we can contribute to an ongoing debate on this matter, we will help in the provision of future infrastructure in this country.

Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise a matter of serious concern not only for Waterford but for the region and the nation, namely, the predicament of Waterford Crystal. As many people are probably aware, 500 jobs are at stake in that company which has an iconic brand, not only for Waterford but for Ireland. This is a flagship company that has benefited our economy for many generations. Generations of taxpayers in Waterford have contributed enormously, even through tough times, to our economy. Now they are calling for help from the Government to underwrite a €39 million loan, which we were told last night has been declined.

There is serious concern in Waterford city and the region about the future of the company. This matter is of such importance that I wish, under Standing Order 30, to appeal to the Leader to make time available today for a special debate on this matter. Manufacturing industry is under major threat in this country. Waterford Crystal has been at the frontline of our export products for many years. We need only think back to the introduction of the millennium in New York when the Waterford Crystal ball was the highlight of the event. We cannot afford to lose this company and its product for this country.

This company is important not only for our manufacturing industry but for our tourism industry, for which it has major spin-offs. The Leader will appreciate from his background in tourism in the hotel industry the importance of tourist attractions in an area. Waterford Crystal is one of the leading tourist attractions in the country. It attracts luxury liners into the Waterford Estuary where thousands of Americans or other foreigners visit the south east and travel beyond. I seek to raise this matter under Standing Order 30 in the hope that the Leader will be able to facilitate even a half hour debate and invite the Tánaiste or some other Minister, if available, to the House, as it is a matter of urgent importance.

There is great fear in Waterford this morning because if this company closes it will tear the heart out of Waterford city. I do not say that lightly. When I was driving to the House this morning there was more talk on the national airwaves of Dustin the turkey than of the real threat to Irish manufacturing and tourism, which worries me. If Waterford Crystal goes down, it will take with it its tourism product that tourists throughout the world find attractive. I strongly appeal to the Leader to make time available to debate this important issue. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me the time to raise this point.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has already given me written notice of that matter under Standing Orders 30 and I will rule on it at 11.50 a.m.

Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for that.

Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)
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Will the Leader obtain a brief from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and from Dublin City Council on the implications for local authority housing stock in Dublin in light of the recent news on the public private partnerships not proceeding in certain complexes in the city?

I refer to another matter of huge importance which I have raised in the past, namely, homelessness. Would it be possible for this House, or for the appropriate committee, to arrange a special meeting on homelessness in Dublin city? Could we invite in those working with the homeless? I received a letter from the city manager which states there is no doubt that a huge amount of money has been assigned to fund homelessness relief in recent years, that much good work has been done and that, in the main, there is a bed for everyone who wants one in this city. However, that is not reflected on the streets.

I know some Members attended the recent book launch of Alice Leahy of TRUST and she told me there are serious consequences arising from, and problems with, homelessness. Will the Leader arrange with the other leaders, or the relevant committee, to invite in those involved in this area to focus on, and deal with, homelessness, particularly if the money and the beds are available?

Shane Ross (Independent)
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I repeat a request I made to the Leader some weeks ago. It may have been touched on yesterday but I was not here and I apologise to the House if that is the case. I refer to the issue of financial regulation and corporate Ireland which, according to today's media, is in the dock for certain things which have been going on. It would be appropriate for us to debate not only financial regulation but the Companies Act which this House passed more than 15 years ago and in which insider dealing was made a criminal offence.

It should be noted that a case of insider dealing has never been successfully prosecuted in this country and that it is very rare for such a case to be taken. It is regrettable that the DCC-Fyffes case was left to the Supreme Court which made an unambiguous judgment that insider dealing had taken place and that dealings had taken place on the basis of inside information held by an individual. Nothing has been done about that, except that corporate Ireland has stood behind that behaviour. It is a very serious issue for us because either the law is not tight enough or this is not going on at all, although that is not what the Supreme Court found.

It would be appropriate if this House was to regard itself as relevant in matters of this sort. We should not debate only this specific issue. The DCC-Fyffes case is a landmark and is a disgrace for us internationally, as was raised by Senator Quinn recently. We should examine what is happening to the regulators and why they are nowhere to been seen in this extraordinary episode.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to send the good wishes of this House to Ted Kennedy and his family at this difficult time. The Leader met him when he was in Washington a number of weeks ago. This House and this country owe an enormous debt not only to Ted Kennedy but to his brothers who played an enormous role in instilling a sense of pride in being Irish. Ted Kennedy is a champion of our peace process and of the poor and the underdog and he has spoken for those who have no voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I support the comments on Waterford Crystal of my colleague Senator Coffey. What is happening is very serious for my city of Waterford. The Government decision not to guarantee the loan to Waterford Crystal puts in jeopardy the jobs of the remaining 550 workers in this flagship industry. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment must come to the House to clarify what assistance will be made available to this company to protect the jobs of the remaining 550 workers. However, this involves not only the jobs of these people. As was stated, Waterford Crystal is of considerable benefit to tourism not only in Waterford but throughout the country. It would be a disaster if anything happened to this company.

The Government said it did not want to set a precedent but precedents have been set previously with PMPA, Larry Goodman and several other companies which were bailed out by Governments over the years. I reckon the workers of Waterford Crystal have paid more PRSI and tax to the Exchequer than those in any other company but when they asked for support from the Government, they were turned down. This is unacceptable.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment must come to this House to explain what will be done to protect these workers. We have spoken about the manufacturing industry for a number of years but nothing is being done to protect that and other indigenous industries. Our competitiveness is declining daily but the Government is doing nothing about it. I support the call for a debate on this issue by my colleague Senator Coffey.

Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)
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I also call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House to discuss Waterford Crystal. It is part of the history of Waterford and we cannot let it go. I have confidence the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will find a way forward.

Dominic Hannigan (Labour)
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We support Senator Coffey's request for a debate under Standing Order 30 and I hope that, when a vote is called, Senator Ormonde will support it.

I welcome this morning's news that funding has been agreed for the next Leader programme for rural development. Michael Ludlow, the chair of the Irish Leader network and a man I worked with on Meath Leader when I was a director, said that as a result of €400 million in seed funding, we can expect to see €1.7 billion in investment in the rural economy. I am glad the Irish Farmers Association has welcomed the news. I support the requests that tourism initiatives and community transport schemes are included in local plans. It is important to get this right. People have predicted that it could lead to 10,000 additional jobs in rural areas. Europe has been, and continues to be, very good to us and I would like the IFA to say it is time to support Europe and to vote "Yes" in the forthcoming referendum.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Members should not name people who are not in the House.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to agree to a debate on commodity prices which continue to rise significantly. Many commodities are bought and sold in much the same way as stocks. The person who buys futures in wheat or corn never sees the commodity and would not know what to do with it if they got it.

If we had been forewarned about sub-prime lending, we could have done something about it. However, we have been forewarned about this. The price of oil is increasing to $129 per barrel and the price of rice, wheat, corn and other commodities continue to increase. It appears part of the reason for this is that market traders will no longer trade in currencies and have turned to commodities. This is serious at any time, but at a time of food shortages it is dangerous and I call for a debate on this issue. I do not know how we can deal with it because it is outside our jurisdiction but, notwithstanding that, we should raise an objection to it.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator O'Toole's request that the President should not reply to the Independent Deputy who asked her to provide clarification on aspects of the Lisbon reform treaty. It is wholly inappropriate to attempt to involve the President's office. This is unfair manipulation by the "No" campaign.

I read in The Irish Times today about proposed EU guidelines for websites. I welcome this in light of the mention we made yesterday of cyber bullying and intimidation across the web. It is important for the European Union to take the initiative and consider self-regulation and legislation for this area that will protect the welfare and safety of our children. Parents and children will welcome this move forward because many of the sites that affect our children are hosted outside of Ireland.

I call for the Minister with responsibility for energy to come to the House to discuss the increasing price of fuel, particularly diesel. The increases are affecting the costs of all market goods, particularly food and the cost of living is spiralling out of control. Diesel has just gone up by another 5 cent at pumps in Galway and the same has probably happened throughout the country. The Minister is waiting for renewable energies to come on stream, but what measures is he going to take in the short term to curb inflation and reduce the costs of getting our goods to markets and to reduce the cost of the fuel needed to transport our goods?

David Norris (Independent)
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I strongly support Senator Coffey on his call for debate on the fate of Waterford Glass, which is one of our most historic industries and represents Ireland all over the world. Just yesterday, visitors to the House admired the beautiful Waterford Glass chandeliers that grace this Chamber. I have, however, some concern with regard to Government intervention. We must look back, for example, at its intervention in the case of the banks. That was highly unpopular with taxpayers and the moneys were never repaid. Why should capitalist enterprise be propped up by taxpayers?

I support a debate, but it must be nuanced. Sir Anthony O'Reilly and his empire have made clear their advocacy of the open market and people do not want to shovel bucket loads of cash into his already overloaded pockets in order to sustain Waterford Glass. If taxpayers' money is put into the company, there should be certain guarantees provided. Either the company should be partly nationalised — I would be proud of it as a State enterprise and hope it would work — or guarantees should be provided to the State as a preferential creditor. If the company is an embarrassment to Sir Anthony and he is making a commercial decision that he can no longer support it, let him give the shares to the State. He has plenty of other things in his back pocket. I understand he has previously supported Waterford Glass out of his own pocket. I appreciate his generosity in doing that and understand that he may not wish to do it any longer.

Will the Leader confirm something he said yesterday and give me a date for a discussion in the House with the Minister on the question of the location of the Abbey Theatre? The editorial of Monday's The Irish Times mentioned that the recent unveiling of the proposal for the Carlton site in O'Connell Street illustrates the necessity for a landmark cultural component to counterface the commercial overload of the plan for this key location. I understand a major British retail force will be located on the Carlton site, but there has been no mention of a cultural aspect to the site or any mention of the Abbey Theatre.

I call for debate on the National Roads Authority and its attitude towards the environment. This is biodiversity week, but consider how it is being celebrated in County Meath. The National Roads Authority has contacted Meath County Council and it has franchised out the spraying of the hedgerows with 2,4-D, a highly toxic chemical. This is killing nestlings, destroying a huge variety of plants and fouling the groundwater in the area. One of the reasons given for the spraying was that the massive scale of the motorworks in the area has disturbed noxious weeds so that seeds have been distributed everywhere. The NRA is behind this disturbance. The contract for the spraying has been given to Kellogg, Brown & Root, KBR, which is owned by Halliburton, whose chief executive is——

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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No names please.

David Norris (Independent)
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——the man described by Hillary Clinton as Darth Vader, Dick Cheney. Therefore, the National Roads Authority is employing Darth Vader to poison the landscape of Meath to celebrate biodiversity week. What a wonderful island we live on.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has made his point. I call Senator Paul Coghlan.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Much that depends on public private partnerships is now in doubt and I strongly support the comments of my colleague Senator Fitzgerald on the subject. I also support the comments of Senator Norris on the future of the Abbey Theatre. In September 2006, the then Minister, Deputy John O'Donoghue, announced the Government's approval for a design competition for the theatre. The original brief on the theatre dates from 2002, but I understand it is still being revised. It is now mid-2008 and we are still in the dark about the future of our national theatre and its proposed location despite the fact that some €138 million was earmarked for the project in the national development plan. I support all the calls for debate on the issue and on public private partnerships. There is much this House could contribute to any review the Government is conducting on the issue.

I supported Senator Ross previously on his comments on bad practices and unsavoury doings of a section of corporate Ireland. Will the Leader arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House to discuss the relevant provisions of the Companies Acts? It would appear to lay people that the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court's five judges is being flouted by that section of corporate Ireland.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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We have often had debate in the House on the health service and will, no doubt, have one again soon. I would like to raise the issue of how we treat children with Down's syndrome and their families. I spoke to a parent recently who was advised by the school her child attends that the child is at a critical stage and would benefit from speech therapy. When the parents inquired about speech therapy from the HSE, they were told there was nothing that could be done for them and were referred to a clinic which referred them back to the HSE. The parents have been given to understand that their child does not fall into the specific category of disability which would entitle the child to assistance.

We need a debate that will include whether children with Down's syndrome and similar children should be rated top priority when it comes to how we dispense our health budget, whether arbitrary categorisations are being made by our health authorities and whether these categorisations do an injustice to some families. This is a time sensitive issue in the situation I mentioned and if the parents are to get private speech therapy for their child, it will cost them over €5,000 per year. Are such people to be looked after by the system? We need to address that question in our debate.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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I wish to follow up on the point made by Senator O'Toole with regard to the request by Deputy Finian McGrath for the President to intervene in the ——

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I would prefer if the Senator did not mention the Deputy as he is outside of this House.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
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He supports the Government.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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He is an Independent Deputy. The basis of that request is to identify the constitutional implications of the Lisbon treaty. It will not be passed by the Oireachtas but by the people in a referendum. As constitutional issues are decided by the people, it is a ludicrous request in some respects and should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. Senator O'Toole's point that no implication should be drawn from a refusal to entertain the request is well founded.

I wish to follow up on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and workers' rights raised by Senator O'Toole. This issue has featured in the referendum debate and there has been much misinformation on this point. Selective quotations from particular court cases such as Laval——

David Norris (Independent)
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This has happened on both sides. My case has been in since it has nothing to do with——

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Regan without interruption please.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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——Viking, Rüffert and other cases. Many of these cases turn on the facts particular to them. Citing them ignores the fact that the majority of workers' rights have emanated from Europe, and many from the European courts. These include equal pay and opportunity, health and safety at work, protection of workers in insolvency situations and the rights of part-time workers. The conclusions of the Viking case are not negative towards workers' rights and it leaves it to the member states to determine the specific issues. This misinformation on these court cases and ignoring what Europe has contributed to workers' rights constitutes misinformation in this campaign. The Charter of Fundamental Rights is the culmination of the efforts of trade unions in Europe to have a set of rights enshrined in the treaty.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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There is a social clause in the Lisbon treaty and, as I have mentioned, there is a protocol on services of general economic interest. In international agreements unanimity is still required for any of those services concerning health, education or social matters. The situation is covered in the Lisbon treaty and where that argument is drummed up to support the "No" vote it is not well-founded.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I support the calls by Senator Coffey and others for a debate on the future of the Waterford Crystal plant in Waterford. Although I come from an adjoining county I must recognise that this plant produces an iconic Irish brand and I hope we will have time to debate the matter and insist the Government uses whatever mechanisms are available to aid this industry. It is important for Waterford, Munster and Ireland that the Waterford Crystal plant continues to thrive. It is one of the Irish brands known at home and abroad.

I support what Senator Healy Eames said on the price of diesel. Last week the AA called for an inquiry into the huge increases in diesel prices in recent months. It appears the motorist is being ripped off. While we all recognise that the price of a barrel of oil in dollars has increased on the world market, the euro is increasing in strength against the dollar and has been for quite some time. It is difficult to understand why diesel prices should have increased at such a rapid rate as to make motoring almost unaffordable. It is costing families, businesses and jobs. This needs a full investigation and I support what Senator Healy Eames said today and last week's request by the AA for an inquiry into diesel prices by the appropriate Departments. There must be a combined attack on fuel inflation because if affects every family and is losing jobs in this country.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the Leader to reply, Senator Leyden wishes to make a personal statement.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I withdraw the remark I made here on 30 January 2008 about the Director of Public Prosecutions. It was not my intention to cause any embarrassment to the House or to the Chair.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole and Coghlan called for an urgent debate on public private partnerships and what the alternatives might be. I have no difficulty with this taking place as tonight's Private Members' motion is on Transport 21. I will endeavour to have this take place at the earliest time, and certainly before the summer recess. Senators Fitzgerald, Norris and Coghlan called for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to update the House on the progress with the Abbey Theatre. There was an important request to have a landmark site identified so that when people from all 32 counties of Ireland visit the Abbey Theatre they will know where they are going and will not depend on people to direct them. While I do not want to get involved in commercial affairs, Senator Norris's suggested site is ideal. Everybody knows where O'Connell Street is. It would enhance the north end of O'Connell Street which deserves the major investment at which the Celtic tiger seems to have only glanced. I support the Senators in this regard and this debate will take place in the next two weeks.

Senator Fitzgerald called for a debate on ageism. The value of experience cannot be bought. For people in very important positions who have achieved great success in their lifetimes to be told at the age of 65 they are no longer wanted and have to retire when they are excelling and at the peak of their careers defies logic. It is no longer acceptable.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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Deputy O'Rourke would not stand for it.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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When Senator Mullen reaches the age of 69 he will know how important it is to look forward to 72.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader without interruption please.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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I want to stay serious because there is a great advantage to "Ireland plc" and I will give time for this debate and fully support allowing the people who created the Ireland we have in the 21st century to continue to do so as long as the good Lord gives them the health to do it.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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Senators O'Toole, Healy Eames and Regan correctly pointed out to the House issues on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, workers, the achievements of the European trade union movement, the advantages of the Lisbon treaty and those who support the "Yes" vote related to trade union and workers' rights. I agree with the sentiments expressed and at our next leaders group meeting I will endeavour to see how we can enhance this proposal. I agree with the sentiments expressed on the affairs of the President and we have had the views of some very experienced Senators in this area this morning.

Senator Prendergast spoke on the units in Cork University Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and everything pertaining to the concerns of parents and the services for children in these magnificent hospitals. I have no difficulty in having further time left aside for the Senators' views particularly on matters pertaining to the HSE. We will have an update from the HSE and a debate on all matters pertaining to the HSE, but particularly on Senator Prendergast's issue, before the summer recess.

Senators Coffey, Cummins, Ormonde, Hannigan, Norris and Bradford called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coghlan, to come to the House to debate the position in which Waterford Crystal finds itself. We all will be aware of the world-class product that is Waterford crystal, the world brand name that Waterford Crystal has established and the amount of endeavour that has been put into this company. The success of this Irish company has been almost unprecedented worldwide. I can only think of one or two others that have had the success of Waterford Crystal.

I am endeavouring for the past hour, with the Government Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, to see if we can provide time for this debate at some stage today. I will return to the House at 12 o'clock, after the Order of Business has concluded, to update the House on our progress. I am endeavouring to have this debate take place some time between 1.45 p.m. and 3 o'clock but if that is not possible and if it is possible at all, it will take place at 7 o'clock. I am endeavouring to ensure this debate will take place. This is a request on an urgent matter and I certainly fully support the call this morning of Senators from all sides of the House. The plight of the workers is important but the continuation of the company and the brand name for our country is vital.

Senator Callely called for a debate on local authority housing, particularly in the city and county of Dublin, and also on homelessness. On the homelessness aspect, there is no difficulty in holding such debates in the House but matters as urgent as this can be discussed in the relevant committee charged with the various portfolios of Ministers every week. Members of the committee who are Senators can play a big part in assisting with the difficulties of various groups, as Senator Callely pointed out, to push these issues along and get responses from Ministers who attend the committee meetings on a weekly basis.

Senators Ross and Coghlan called for an urgent debate on financial regulations, particularly on the Companies Acts and insider dealing. This is an urgent matter which needs to be debated. We are at an advanced stage with a new companies Bill, which I understand contains in the region of 1,280 to 1,400 sections. It will be the largest legislation to be presented before both Houses of the Oireachtas in 70 years. I will endeavour, with the Leaders, to have a debate take place within the next week on this issue Senator Ross raised correctly in the House. It is an important area that needs to be addressed urgently and this House must not be found wanting in this regard.

Senator Daly asked that I send best wishes to US Senator Ted Kennedy on his recent illness. On behalf of the House, as Leader, I join in wishing Senator Kennedy well and, hopefully, a speedy recovery. The Kennedys, and Senator Kennedy in particular, have been outstanding friends of Ireland in times of great need. Their achievements lifted us up, as a nation, from 1963, in particular, when the late President John F. Kennedy, his brother, visited Ireland. That was the start of the Ireland of today that we all know. It was a privilege and an honour for me, and Senators Daly and Walsh, to accompany the Taoiseach and the Ministers to the historic proceedings in the House of Representatives and to be greeted and received so warmly by Senator Kennedy for our stay in Washington. I wish him well and look forward to meeting him again, please God, on another occasion.

Senator Hannigan highlighted that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, announced yesterday €425 million in Leader funding which, with other funding, could be brought up to €1.7 billion. I welcome the announcement by the Minister. As 95% of my local electoral area is in CLÁR, we certainly are looking forward to getting our fair share of Leader funding. It is only under such funding that the areas that have lost 50% of their population over the past 75 years can really get their fair share and play a major part. Senator Hannigan's constituency and mine are similar and I fully agree with his sentiments in this area.

Senator John Hanafin called for a debate on commodity prices and the cost of oil. Senator Healy Eames also raised this matter. As oil prices increase, energy costs increase. As energy costs increase, food costs increase. We must look at what is really happening. The consumer price index fell last month from 5% to 4.5%, but the cost of oil, and particularly diesel for those of us who have such cars, at the filling stations has risen astronomically. We should have an all-party debate in this House on why prices are increasing so rapidly when one considers, as Senator Bradford pointed out to the House, that the dollar is falling against the euro. I will return to the Leaders of the various groups to see how soon we can have this debate take place.

Senator Norris called for a debate on the National Roads Authority. This will probably be touched on this evening in the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion on Transport 21. I would hope the Senator would air his views at that debate this evening. There are only five sitting weeks left, if one disregards the week of the referendum. There is only so much business we can do in the House.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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We have all of July.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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If the House wishes to extend Private Members' time tonight by two hours, I can return and have another look at this. I could extend it between 7 o'clock and 9 o'clock. It would be appropriate to discuss this urgent matter which Senator Norris correctly highlighted to the House.

David Norris (Independent)
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I will.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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Senator Norris could take up two hours on his own, if the Leader lets him.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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We can review progress at the appropriate time in this regard.

Senator Mullen called for a debate on the priorities of children with Down's syndrome and similar children, and all the various challenges and difficulties which parents and the children themselves face when, unfortunately, they are born with Down's syndrome. I support the call for a debate and will have this taken place at the earliest possible time.